Six things to do before or after your campus tour

Miranda Butler '22

Like most college students, I spent much of my junior and senior years of high school
touring college after college with my twin brother. By the time we were finished,
my brother and I had toured 14 — yes, 14 — different schools. With so many college
tours, my family and I found ourselves with plenty of downtime between our travels.
Not knowing what to do in so many different college towns, our main way to kill time
was playing Yahtzee, and we played Yahtzee forhours.

Little did we know how much there is to explore around campus. From places to see,
food to eat, and Instagram pictures to take, there is so much to do! With so many
options, here is a list of things I would have loved to do when my brother and I toured
a few years ago.

1. Tour the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center

One part of campus that is outside of your tour is the Strom Thurmond Wellness and
Fitness Center. My family and I actually toured the fitness center when we visited,
and it was really great to explore all that the gym has to offer. From indoor and
outdoor pools, sand volleyball courts and an extensive variety of workout equipment,
Strom is a great resource for exercising and relaxing. Walk-in tours are available
throughout the week and can be relatively quick if you are pressed for time.

2. Explore the grounds around Williams-Brice Stadium

Because the stadium is off-campus, you won’t be able to check out “Willy B” during
your tour. However, you can explore the grounds outside the stadium, including Gamecock
Park, on your own time. The grounds are a great place to walk around and relax, and
you can see where tailgates are hosted on game day.

3. Visit the South Carolina State House

The South Carolina State House is a great off-campus location to explore. Home to
the Governor’s office and the House and Senate chambers, visitors can participate
in free guided and self-guided tours Monday through Friday. Hours for tours vary by
legislature sessions, but walk-ins are welcomed. In addition to a tour, visitors can
walk around the State House and look for the six bronze stars located around the building.
Each star marks where cannons struck the State House during the Civil War.

4. Check out the West Columbia Riverfront Park and Amphitheater

If you want to soak up Columbia’s sunshine and outdoor scene, head on over to West
Columbia’s Riverwalk. Though it requires a 10-minute drive, the park offers plenty
of hiking and paved biking trails for one’s leisure. The park overlooks the Congaree
River and accommodates all levels of physical access. The Riverwalk is a great place
to have a picnic and take in the natural beauty that Columbia has to offer. The paths
make up eight miles total and include historical markers about the area. The park
is open daily from dawn until dusk.

5. Get some Gamecock gear

One thing I was repeatedly told throughout my college search was to get a shirt or
item from every school I liked. Understandably, this included South Carolina. The
Russell House Bookstore is a great on-campus option for all of your Gamecock gear.
If you are over by the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness center, Barefoot Campus
Outfitters is the way to go. They have great and unique options, not to mention you
can get t-shirts cut and cropped into different styles (even dresses)!

6. Get some photo-ops

Without fail, the obligatory campus visit photo will have to occur at some time or
another, so why not pick a great spot? One iconic photo spot on campus is the Cocky
statue by Greene Street. A great pose to use is the “spurs up” sign in your picture.
If you want another good shot, take your picture by the fountain in front of Thomas
Cooper Library. The lighting is great, and the fountain is right in the heart of campus.
Both of these spots are really popular with current and prospective students alike.

About the Author

Miranda Butler '22

Miranda Butler is a public relations major in the Honors College. On campus, she’s
involved in Gamecock Club Swim, the Public Relations Student Society of America and
Alpha Lambda Delta. Her favorite part of being a student at South Carolina is having
so many opportunities to meet new people and step out of her comfort zone.

Schedule a Tour

Starting at the Visitor Center, our student ambassadors guide you on a walking tour
of the university. These current students can answer your questions while giving you
a closer look at our historic campus.